Marion Thompson Wright (1902-1962)
Courtesy, Prints and Photographs Department, Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Howard University

Shown here in her doctoral regalia, Wright was the first black historian to receive a doctorate from Columbia University. She was a native of East Orange and worked for several years as a case supervisor for the Newark Department of Pubic Welfare while working toward her Ph.D. Later she joined the faculty of Howard University and became a full professor there in 1950.  She is noted as an historian of African Americans in New Jersey.